Broadway’s ‘Spider-Man’ musical seeks a new hero

NEW YORK (AP) — The hit Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” is losing its longtime superhero but producers are holding open casting calls for anyone who wants to don the red and blue suit.

Reeve Carney, who has been playing the musical’s title character and his alter ego Peter Parker since the show began previews in late 2010, will leave Sept. 15 and two casting calls will be held next month to find his replacement, as well as a future actress to play Mary Jane.

The casting calls will be in New York on Aug. 19 at Stage 48 & Sky-Lounge and in Los Angeles on Aug.12 at the Hollywood United Methodist Church. Those auditioning are asked to sing a rock song a capella that shows of their range.

“Hopefuls should be males in their late teens to early 20s of any ethnicity. They must have a great rock singing voice. They can be nerdy with an understated sex appeal and a good sense of humor,” producers said in a statement Tuesday.

Carney was the lead singer of the rock band Carney, which also included his younger brother Zane on guitar, when he was picked to star in the new comic book musical with songs by U2′s Bono and The Edge. The band has released the album “Mr. Green” and Reeve Carney has appeared in several films, including Julie Taymor’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”

The actor endured a turbulent musical inauguration with the show, withstanding six delays in its opening night, injuries to fellow actors, a shake-up that led to the firing of Taymor, the show’s original director, and critical drubbing. But when the show finally opened, it quickly became one of Broadway’s biggest hits.

Carney is one of the few stars who have stayed with the show all the way. Others who have left include Jennifer Damiano, the original Mary Jane; Patrick Page, the original Green Goblin; and Natalie Mendoza, who played the spider woman Arachne and pulled out early after suffering a concussion.